In a corner of your mind...

I think my favorite sight in Chicago since I've been here is the sunrise when it hits right between the buildings. If you look from my window, the view stretches immediately down Chicago Avenue to the lake...

Sometimes, it seems like the sun doesn't exist in the winter. It's finally peeking out again.

When I was little and we'd drive down to Redlands, CA to see Grampy and Grammy (dad's parents)...we'd look for bluebelly lizards on the rock piles. They used to bask in the sunshine :) Did you know, if you catch one and rub it's belly, you can actually put it to sleep? Then its tail falls off and little girls start screaming. ;) All that to say...I've felt like a bluebelly lizard the past couple days, soaking in all the sunshine :)

Moody hosted the Evangelical Theological Society conference this week. I didn't register for the conference, but for a $10 registration fee, you could attend any of the various speakers plus you had access to the book displays from top Christian publishers for a huge discount. Smart stuff! I was able to attend two of the papers this morning: Robert Culver, talking about Calvin's position on Church Discipline, and second was Andrew Schmutzer (MBI prof), discussing the Theology of Sexual Abuse. I walked away with so much to think about, but the over-arching concepts I took from each:

• Church discipline has three goals:
• To reflect the glory of God
• To encourage the salvation of the offender
• To maintain the integrity of the church

• Sexual abuse fragments the body and soul of the victim. Healing can take place over time--but it does not remove their suspicion of others. Those that make an incredibly affective impact are the "wounded healers"--those that have experienced similar situations and can help victims redeem the memories and past

Hm...interesting thoughts. As I walked out from those sessions, I had an overwhelming sense of anxiety for all those in positions of leadership in churches, especially pastors. I looked around the cafeteria wondering, are these young 20-something year old men studying to be pastors really ready and capable to take on the issues that you face when leading churches and families. Are these women ready to come along side and encourage, serve, and extend compassion. How many of us will find ourselves in similar situations as offenders, victims, or counselors of either? CRAZY. I pray protection and wisdom on the lives of all these people training for such ministry.

Final thought...God does this:
"I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul." -Jeremiah 31:25

Blessings. Em